The overall goal of Essex County Public School’s Preschool Programs is to provide students the opportunity to learn by helping them discover answers through hands-on learning activities that stimulate their curiosity and creativity. The Preschool Program curriculum strives to increase language development, motor and thinking skills and social interactions through cooperative learning activities. The curriculum also focuses on social, emotional and physical development.Essex County Public Schools offers two types of Early Childhood Education Programs.

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Essex County Public Schools’ early childhood special education preschool programs provide educational services for children ages two to five with developmental delays identified through the Special Education eligibility process.

Virginia Pre-School Initiative (VPI) Essex County offers this program at Tappahannock Elementary School for students who qualify for the program. The VPI class is currently taught in an inclusion setting.